The Qur’an in several places says that Iblis was an angel, but in Surah Kahf it says that Iblis was a Jinn. Isn’t this a contradic­tion in the Qur’an?

IBLIS - ANGEL OR JINN?

Question:

 

The Qur’an in several places says that Iblis was an angel, but in Surah Kahf it says that Iblis was a Jinn. Isn’t this a contradic­tion in the Qur’an?

 

Answer:

 

1.  Incidence Of Iblis And Angel Mentioned In The Qur’an

 

The story of Adam and Iblis is mentioned in the Qur’an in various places in which Allah (swt) says, “We said to the angels bow down to Adam: and they bowed down: not so Iblis”.
            
This is mentioned in:
Surah Al-Baqarah chapter 2 verse 43
Surah Al-Araf chapter 7 verse 17
Surah Al-Hijr chapter 15 verses 28-31
Surah Al-Isra chapter 17 verse 61
Surah Ta-Ha chapter 20 verse 116
Surah Al-Sad chapter 38 verses 71-74

But in Surah Al-Kahf chapter 18 verse 50 the Qur’an says:

“Behold! We said to the angels,
‘Bow down to Adam.’
They bowed down except Iblis
He was one of the Jinns.”

                                    [Al-Qur’an 18:50]

 

2.  Arabic Rule Of Tagleeb

 

The English translation of the first part of the verse ‘We said to the angels bow down to Adam: they bowed down except Iblis’, gives us the impression that Iblis was an angel. The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic. In Arabic grammar there is a rule known as ‘Tagleeb’, according to which, if the majority is addressed even the minority is included. If for example, I address a class containing 100 students of whom 99 are boys and one is a girl, and if I say in Arabic that all the boys should stand up, it includes the girl as well. I need not mention her seperately.

Similarly in the Qur’an, when Allah addressed the angel, even Iblis was present, but it is not required that he be mentioned separately. Therefore according to that sentence Iblis may be an angel or may not be an angel but we come to know from Surah Al-Kahf chapter 18 verse 50 that Iblis was a Jinn. No where does the Qur’an say Iblis was an angel. Therefore there is no contradiction in the Qur’an.

 

3.  Jinn have free will and can disobey Allah.

 

Secondly, Jinns have a free will and may or may not obey Allah, but angels have no free will and always obey Allah. There­fore the question of an angel disobeying Allah does not arise. This further supplements that Iblis was a Jinn and not an angel.

A particular verse of the Qur’an says that one day in the sight of Allah is equal to 1000 years. In another verse of the Qur’an it says that one day is equal to 50,000 years. Isn’t the Qur’an contradicting itself?

ONE DAY IN THE SIGHT OF ALLAH IS 1,000 OR 50,000 YEARS

Question:

A particular verse of the Qur’an says that one day in the sight of Allah is equal to 1000 years. In another verse of the Qur’an it says that one day is equal to 50,000 years. Isn’t the Qur’an contradicting itself? 

Answer:

1. Time of Allah is incomparable to earthly time

The Qur’an says in two verses, (22:47 and 32:5), that the measure of one day in the sight of Allah is equal to 1,000 years of our reckoning. In another verse (70:4) it says that the measure of one day in the sight of Allah is equal to 50,000 years of our reckoning.

These verses generally mean that the time of Allah (swt) is incomparable to the earthly time. The examples given are of one thousand years and fifty thousand years of the earthly time. In other words thousands of years or a very, very long time of the earth a day in the sight of Allah is equal to:

2. Yaum also means Period 
The Arabic word used in all these three verses is yaum, which, besides meaning a day also means a long period, or an epoch. If you translate the word yaum correctly as ‘period’ there will be no confusion.

 

a) The verse from Surah Hajj reads as:

“Yet they ask thee to hasten on the Punishment! but  Allah will not fail in His promise. Verily a Day in the sight of thy Lord is like a thousand years of your reckoning”.
                                                                                                                                                                                                [Al-Qur’an 22:47]

When the unbelievers asked to hasten the punishment the Qur’an says Allah will not fail in His promise. Verily a period in the sight of Allah is like a thousand years of your reckoning.

b) The verse from Surah Al-Sajdah says:

“He rules (all) affairs from the heavens to the earth: in the end will (all affairs) go up? To Him, on a Day, the space whereof will be (as) a thousand years of your reckoning”.
                                                                        [Al-Qur’an 32:5]

This verse indicates that a period required for all the affairs to go up to Allah (swt), is a thousand years of our reckoning.

c) A verse from Surah Al-Maarij says:

“The angels and the spirit ascend unto Him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years”.

                                                                       [Al-Qur’an 70:4]

This verse means that the period required for angels and the spirits to ascend unto Allah (swt) is fifty thousand years.

d) The period for two different acts need not be the same. For example the period required for me to travel to destination ‘A’ say Vashi is one hour and the period required for me to travel to destination ‘B’ i.e. Kashmir is 50 hours. This does not indicate that I am making two contradictory statements.

Thus the verses of the Qur’an not only do not contradict each other, they are also in perfect harmony with established modern scientific facts.

It is mentioned in one verse of the Qur’an that Allah is the Lord of two Easts and two Wests. How can you explain this verse of the Qur’an scientifically?

ALLAH IS THE LORD OF TWO EASTS AND TWO WESTS

Question:
It is mentioned in one verse of the Qur’an that Allah is the Lord of two Easts and two Wests. How can you explain this verse of the Qur’an scientifically? 

Answer:
1. Qur’an mentions Allah is the Lord of two Easts and two Wests
The verse of the Qur’an which refers to Allah being the Lord of two easts and two wests is the following verse from Surah Ar-Rahman:

“(He is) Lord of the two Easts and Lord of the two Wests:”

                                                                                     [Al-Qur’an 55:17]

 

In the original Arabic script, the words east and west have been used in the dual form. It implies that Allah is the Lord of two easts and two wests.

2. Allah is the Lord of both the extremes of East and West
The science of geography tells us that the sun rises from the east, but the point ofsunrise keeps shifting throughout the year. Only on two days of the year known as ‘equinox’, does the sun rise exactly from due east. On the remaining days, it rises either from a little north or a little south of due east. During summer solstice the sunrises from one extreme of the east and during winter solstice it rises from the other extreme. Similarly, the sun sets in one extreme of the west in summer solstice. It sets in the other extreme of the west in winter solstice. This phenomenon can be easily seen in Bombay or any other city, by people living in certain areas, or in tall skyscraper buildings, from where the rising or setting of sun can be seen. They are able to notice that during the summer solstice the sun rises from one extreme of east and during winter solstice it rises from the other extreme of east. In short, through out the year, the sun keeps rising from different points of the east and sets on different points of the west. Thus when the Qur’an refers to Allah as the Lord of two easts and two wests, it means that Allah is the Lord of both the extremes of east and both the extremes of west.

 

3. Allah is the Lord of all the points of the East and West
Arabic language has two types of plurals. One is the dual plural i.e. the plural that implies the existence of two. The other is the plural for more than two, i.e. three and above. In Surah Rahman verse 17 the Arabic words used are mashriqaini and  magribaini which are in dual plural and therefore imply two easts and two wests.
Consider the following verse of the Qur’an:

Now I do call to witness the Lord of all points in the East and the West.

                                                                     [Al-Qur’an 70:40]

The Arabic words for east and west used in this verse are mashaariqi and magharibi’ which are plurals that imply the existence of more than two. 

We can thus conclude that the Qur’an refers to Allah being the Lord of all the points in the east and all the points of the west, as well as the Lord of both the extreme points of east and both the extreme points of west.

At one place the Qur’an mentions that man is created from sperm and in another place it mentions that man is created from dust. Are these two verses not contradicting? How can you scientifically prove that man is created from dust?

IS MAN CREATED FROM SPERM OR DUST?

Question:

At one place the Qur’an mentions that man is created from sperm and in another place it mentions that man is created from dust. Are these two verses not contradicting? How can you scientifically prove that man is created from dust?

Answer:

1.  Man created from sperm and dust

The Qur’an refers to the lowly beginnings of a human being from a drop of sperm, in several verses including the following verse from Surah Al-Qiyamah:

“Was he not a drop of sperm emitted
(In lowly form)”?

[Al-Qur’an  75:37]

The Qur’an also mentions in several places that humans were created from dust. The following verse makes a reference to the origin of humans:

“(Consider) that We created you out of dust”.

                                                                        [Al-Qur’an 22:5]

We now know that all the elements present in the human body, i.e. the constituent elements of the human body are all present in the earth in small or great quantities.

This is the scientific explanation for the Qur’anic verse that says that man was created from dust.

In certain verses, the Qur’an says that man was created from sperm, while in certain other verses it says that man was created from dust. However this is not a contradiction. Contradiction means statements, which are opposite or conflicting and cannot both be true simultaneously.

2.  Man created from water

In certain places the Qur’an also says that man was created from water. For instance in Surah Al-Furqan it says:

“It is He Who has
Created man from water”.

                       [Al-Qur’an 24:54]

Science has proved all the three statements to be correct. Man has been created from sperm, dust as well as water.

3.  It is a Contradistinction and not Contradiction

Suppose I say that in order to make a cup of tea one needs water. One also needs tea-leaves or tea powder. The two statements are not contradictory since both water and tea leaves are required in order to make a cup of tea. Furthermore if I want sweet tea I can even add sugar.
           
Thus there is no contradiction in the Qur’an when it says that man is created from sperm, dust and water.  It is not a contradiction but a contradistinction.

Contradistinction means speaking about two different concepts on the same subject without conflict. For instance if I say that a man is always honest, kind and loving, it is a contradistinction, but if I say that the man is always truthful and a habitual liar then it is a contradiction.

The Qur’an mentions in several places that the heavens and the were earth created in 6 days but in Surah Fussilat it says that the heavens and the earth were created in 8 days. Isn’t this a contradiction? The same verse also says that the earth was created in 6 days and then later on the heavens were created in 2 days. This is against the Big-Bang theory that the heavens and the earth were created simultaneously.

HEAVENS AND EARTH CREATED IN SIX DAYS AND NOT EIGHT DAYS

Question: 

The Qur’an mentions in several places that the heavens and the were earth created in 6 days but in Surah Fussilat it says that the heavens and the earth were created in 8 days. Isn’t this a contradiction? The same verse also says that the earth was created in 6 days and then later on the heavens were created in 2 days. This is against the Big-Bang theory that the heavens and the earth were created simultaneously.

Answer:  
1. Heavens and the Earth created in Six days
I do agree that the Qur’an says that the heavens and the earth were created in 6 days i.e.
6 epochs and it is mentioned in

Surah Al A’raf             chapter 7 verse 54                 
Surah Yunus               chapter 10 verse 3                 
Surah Hud                  chapter 11 verse 7                 
Surah Al Furqan          chapter 25 verse 59   
Surah Al Sajdah          chapter 32 verse 4     
Surah Qaf                   chapter 50 verse 38               
Surah Al Hadid            chapter 57 verse 4     

The verses of the Qur’an which according to you say that the heavens and the earth were created in 8 days are Surah Fussilat chapter 41 verses 9 to 12

“Say: Is it that ye deny Him Who created the earth in two days? And do ye join equals With him? He is the Lord of (all) the Worlds;

He set on the (earth) mountains standing firm, High above it, and bestowed blessings on the earth, and measured therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportion, In four days, in accordance with (the needs of) Those who seek (sustenance).”

Moreover, He Comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke. He said to it and to the earth. “Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly. They said: “We do come (Together), in willing obedience.”

So He completed them as seven firmaments in two days and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command and We adorned the lower heaven with lights, and (provided it) with guard. Such is the decree of (Him) the exalted in might, full of knowledge.
                       
            [Al-Qur’an 41:9-12]

On the face of it, it seems that these verses of the Qur’an give the initial impression that the heavens and the earth were created in 8 days.

Allah says in the beginning of this verse that those who exploit this information contained in this passage to raise doubts about its authenticity are equally interested in promulgating blasphemy and denying His unity. Allah is telling us that in course of time, there will emerge unbelievers who will make use of this apparent contradiction.

2. Summa means moreover
If you analyse these verses carefully, it speaks about 2 different creations: the earth and the heaven. The earth excluding the mountains was created in 2 days and the mountains were set on the earth standing firm and blessed and measured its sustenance in 4 days. Therefore the earth along with the mountains was created in 6 days according to verse 9 and 10. Verse 11 and 12 says, moreover the heavens were created in 2 days. The Arabic word used in the beginning of verse 11 of Surah Fussilat is summa which means; ‘then’ or ‘moreover’. There are certain Qur’anic translations, which have, used ‘then’ for the word summa which, indicates ‘afterwards’. If ‘then’ is wrongly used for summa then the total of the creation of heaven and earth will be 8 days which will conflict with other verses of the Qur’an which says heavens and earth were created in 6 days and will also conflict with the Big Bang Theory as well as the verse of the Qur’an Surah Al Ambiya chapter 21 verse 30 which says that heavens and the earth were created simultaneously.

Therefore the correct translation of the word summa in this verse would be ‘moreover’. Abdullah Yusuf Ali has rightly translated the word summa or moreover which clearly gives an indication that while the earth along with the mountains, etc. was created in 6 days simultaneously the heavens were created in 2 days. Therefore the total does not come to 8 days but 6 days.

If a builder says that he will construct a 10 storey building and surrounding compound wall in 6 months and after completion of his project he gives a more detailed account saying that the basement of the building was built in 2 months and the 10 storey took 4 months and simultaneously, while the basement and the building was being    constructed, he also constructed the surrounding of the building along with the compound wall which took 2 months. Therefore both his first and second descriptions are not contradicting but the second statement gives a more detailed account for the construction.

3. Heavens and the Earth created simultaneously 
The Qur’an describe the creation of the universe in several places, sometimes it says the heavens and the earth (7:54, 10:3, 11:7, 25:59, 32:4, 50:38, 57:4) while in other places it says earth and the heaven (49:9-12, 2:29, 20:4) thus further supplementing the verse of Surah Al Ambiya chapter 21 verse 30 which speaks about the Big-Bang and that the heavens and the earth were created simultaneously.

Similarly in Surah Al-Baqara chapter 2 verse 29

“It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; Then He turned to the heaven and made them into seven firmaments. And of all things He hath perfect knowledge.”

                        [Al-Qur’an 2:29]

“It is who has created for you all things on the earth summa simultaneously made the heaven into seven firmaments”.

Here also if you wrongly translate summa as ‘then’ only then would this verse contradict the Big-bang theory and other verses of the Qur’an. Therefore the correct translation of the word summa is ‘moreover’ or ‘simultaneously’.

If Allah has sealed the hearts of the Kuffar i.e. non-Muslims, then why are they to be blamed for not accepting Islam?

ALLAH HAS SEALED THE HEART OF KUFFAR

Question:
If Allah has sealed the hearts of the Kuffar  i.e. non-Muslims, then why are they to be blamed for not accepting Islam?

Answer:

1. Allah has sealed the hearts of those who are continuously bent on rejecting the truth

Allah (swt) mentions in Surah Al Baqarah chapter 2 verses 6 and 7      

"As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them Whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.

Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; great is the penalty they (incur)."
                                                                 [Al-Qur'an 2:6-7]

These verses do not refer to common Kuffar who reject faith. The Arabic words used are al-lazina kafaroo, those who are bent on rejecting the truth. It will not make any difference to such people whether you warn them or not, they will not believe. Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing and on their eyes is a veil. It is not because Allah has set a seal on their hearts that these kuffar do not understand and believe, but it is the vice-versa. It is because these kuffar are bent on rejecting the truth and whether you warn them or not they will not believe, that Allah has set a seal on their hearts. Therefore Allah is not to blame, but these kuffaar who are bent on rejecting the faith are responsible.

2. Example of teacher predicting a student will fail

Suppose an experienced teacher, before the final examinations, predicts that a particular student will fail in the exams, since the student is very mischievous, not attentive in class and does not do his homework. If after the student appears for the examination, he fails, who is to be blamed for the student failing: the teacher or the student? Just because the teacher predicted, it does not mean that the teacher is to be blamed but the student himself is responsible for his failure.

Similarly Allah (swt) knows in advance that there are some people who are bent on rejecting the faith and Allah has put a seal on their hearts. Thus these non-Muslims themselves are responsible for rejecting the faith and not Allah (swt).

The Qur’an says that Allah has put a seal on the hearts of the kafirs and they will not believe. Science tells us today that the brain is responsible for understanding and believing and not the heart. Isn’t the Qur’an Contradicting Science?

IS THE HEART RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERSTANDING?

Question:
The Qur’an says that Allah has put a seal on the hearts of the kafirs and they will not believe. Science tells us today that the brain is responsible for understanding and believing and not the heart. Isn’t the Qur’an Contradicting Science?

Answer:

1. Allah has set a seal on the heart of the kafirs

The Glorious Qur’an says:

“As to those who reject Faith it is the same to them
Whether thou warn them or do not warn them;
They will not believe.

Allah hath set a seal
On their hearts and on their hearing and on their eyes is a veil
Great is the penalty they incur.”
                                                            [Al-Qur’an 2:6-7]

2.  The word ‘qalb’ in Arabic means heart as well as intelligence

The Arabic word ‘qalb’ used in these verses means the heart. it also means intelligence. Thus the above verses also mean that Allah has put a seal on the intelligence of the kafirs (unbelievers) and they will not understand and believe.

3.  In the Arabic language heart is also used as a centre of understanding

In the Arabic language the word ‘heart’ is also used to connote one’s centre of understanding.

4.  Several words used in English language whose literal meaning is different

Even in English language there are several words which are used to explain something, though the literal meaning of these words are different. Consider the following examples

a. Lunatic - struck by the moon

The word ‘lunatic’ literally means struck by the moon. Today people use the word lunatic for a person who is insane or mentally unstable. People very well know that a mad or a mentally unstable person is not struck by the moon. Yet even a medical doctor uses this word. This is normal in the evolution of a language.

b. Disaster – An evil star

The word ‘disaster’ literally means an evil star. Today the word disaster is used for a great or sudden misfortune or calamity. We know very well that a misfortune has nothing to do with an evil star.

c. Trivial – three roads meet

The word trivial literally means where three roads meet. Today the word trivial is used for a something of small nature or little importance. We know very well that if something is of small value it has nothing to do with where three roads meet.

d. Sunrise and sunset

Sunrise literally means rising of the sun. Today when the word sunrise is used most of the people know that the earth is rotating and is moving in relation to the sun. Most of us know that the sun does not rise during sunrise. However even an astronomer uses the word sunrise. Similarly we know that during sunset, the sun does not actually set.

5.   In the English language heart is the centre of love and emotion

In the English language heart means an organ in the body which pumps blood. The same word heart is also used for the centre of thought, love and emotion. Today we know that brain is the centre of thought, love and emotion. Yet while expressing emotions a person is likely to say ‘I love you from the bottom of my heart’. Imagine a scientist telling his wife, ‘I love you from the bottom of my heart’ and the wife replies,  “Don’t you even know the basics of science, that the brain is responsible for the emotions and not the heart? In fact you should say I love you from the bottom of my brain.”

6.   Arabs know that heart is also used for centre of thought and understanding

No Arab will ever ask the question as to why Allah has sealed the hearts of the kafir because he knows that in this context it refers to the centre of thought, understanding and emotions.

According to the Qur’an when a man enters paradise, he will get ‘hoor’, i.e. beautiful maidens. What will a woman have when she enters paradise?

                                                        HOOR

Question: 

According to the Qur’an when a man enters paradise, he will get ‘hoor’, i.e. beautiful maidens. What will a woman have when she enters paradise?

Answer:

1.   Hoor mentioned in the Qur’an

The word hoor occurs in the Qur’an in no less than four different places:

 (1)  In Surah Dukhan chapter 44, verse 54

“Moreover, We shall join them to companions 
With beautiful, big and lus­trous eyes.”

                                                                        [Al-Qur’an 44:54]

 (2)  In Surah Al-Tur chapter 52 verse 20

 “...And We shall join them to companions, with beautiful, 
big and lustrous eyes.”
                                                                         [Al-Qur’an 52:20]

 (3)  In Surah Rahman chapter 55 verse 72

 “Companions restrained (as to their glances), in goodly pavilions.”

                                                                         [Al-Qur’an 55:72]

 (4)  In Surah Al-Waqiah chapter 56 verse 22

 “And (there will be) companions with beauti­ful, big and lustrous eyes.”

                                                                         [Al-Qur’an 56:22]

2.   Hoor Translated as Beautiful Maidens

Many translators of the Qur’an have translated the word ‘hoor’ as ‘beautiful maidens’ especially in the Urdu translations. If ‘hoor’ means ‘beautiful maidens’ or girls, then they  are meant only for the men. Hence, what will the women get if they enter Paradise?

3.   Meaning of Hoor

The word ‘hoor’ is actually the plural of ‘ahwar’ (applicable to man) and of ‘haura’ (applicable to woman) and signifies a person having eyes characterized by ‘hauar’ a special quality bestowed upon a good soul, male or female in paradise and it denotes the intense whiteness of the white part of the spiritual eye.

The Qur’an describes in several other verses that in paradise you will have ‘Azwaj’ which mean a pair or spouse or companion which means you will have spouses or companions pure and holy (‘Mutaharratun’ means pure, holy).

 “But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness,
That their portion is Gardens, beneath which rivers flow.
Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom,
They say: ‘Why, this is what we were fed with before’,
For they are given things in similitude; and they have therein
Companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (forever)”.

                                                                         [Al-Qur’an 2:25]

“But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness,
We shall soon admit to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath –
Their eternal home; therein shall they have
Companions pure and holy: we shall admit them
To shades, cool and ever deepening”.
                                                                            [Al-Qur’an 4:57]
            
Therefore the word ‘hoor’ has no specific gender. Mohammad Asad has rightly translated the word ‘hoor’ as spouse and Abdullah Yusuf Ali as ‘companion’.  There­fore a man in paradise will have a ‘hoor’ that is a beautiful maiden with big beautiful eyes and a woman in paradise will get a man with big beautiful eyes.

4.   Women will get something exceptional in Paradise

Many scholars say that in context, the word ‘Hoor’ used in the Qur’an refers only to ladies since gents are addressed. A reply that would be accepted by all types of people would rather be the answer given in the Hadith when a similar question was posed that if a man gets a Hoor, a beautiful Maiden in Paradise, then what will the women get? The reply was that the women will get that which the heart has not desired for, the ear hasn’t heard off and the eye hasn’t seen, indicating that even the women will get something exceptional in Paradise.

The Qur’an says that only Allah knows the sex of the child in the womb of the mother but now science has advanced and we can easily determine the sex of the child in the womb by Ultra sonography. Isn’t this verse of the Qur’an conflicting with Science?

DOES ONLY ALLAH KNOW THE SEX OF THE CHILD
IN THE MOTHER’S WOMB?

Question:

The Qur’an says that only Allah knows the sex of the child in the womb of the mother but now science has advanced and we can easily determine the sex of the child in the womb by Ultra sonography. Isn’t this verse of the Qur’an conflicting with Science?

Answer:

Allah is Omnipotent and Omniscience. Allah has granted knowledge of certain things to humankind. But Allah has knowledge of the seen as well as the unseen.

1.  Allah has knowledge of all things

Many people believe that the Qur’an claims that Allah alone knows the sex of the child in the mother’s womb. The Glorious Qur’an says:
            
“Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone). It is He who sends down Rain, and He who knows what is in the wombs….”

                                                                   [Al-Qur’an 31:34]

A similar message is given in the following verse:

 “Allah doth know what every female (womb) doth bear, 
By how much the wombs fall short (of their time of number) or do exceed. Every single thing is before His sight, in (due) proportion.”

                                                                         [Al-Qur’an 13:8]

2.  Sex can be determined by Ultra sonography

Today science is advanced and we can easily determine the sex of the child in the womb of a pregnant mother, using ultrasonography.

3.  The word ‘sex’ is not mentioned in the verse of Qur’an

It is true that many translations and commentaries of this verse of the Glorious Qur’an say that only Allah knows the sex of the child in the mother’s womb. If you read the Arabic text of this verse, there is no Arabic word corresponding to the English word ‘sex’. In fact the Qur’an says the knowledge of what is in the womb is with Allah alone. Many commentators have misunderstood it to mean only Allah knows the sex of the child in the womb which is a mistake.

4.  No one besides Allah can determine the nature

This verse does not refer to the sex of the child in the womb but it refers to how the child in the mother’s womb will be. How will his nature be? Will he be a blessing or  a curse to his parents? Will he be a boon or a bane to the society? Will he be good or evil? Will he go to heaven or hell? The complete knowledge of all things is with Allah alone. No scientist in the world, no matter how advanced his equipment, will ever be able to accurately determine the knowledge of these things about the child in the mother’s womb.

Qur’an says that Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet. This gives an indication that the earth is flat. Does this not contradict established modern science?

DOES THE QUR'AN SAY THAT THE EARTH IS FLAT?

Question:

Qur’an says that Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet. This gives   an indication that the earth is flat. Does this not contradict established modern science?

Answer:

1. Earth made as a carpet

The question refers to a verse from the Qur’an in Surah Nuh:

“And Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet (spread out).” 

                                                               [Al-Qur’an 71:19]

But the sentence in the above verse is not complete. It continues in the next verse, explaining the previous verse. It says:
            
 “That ye may go about therein, in spacious roads.”

                                                                [Al-Qur’an 71:20]

A similar message is repeated in Surah TaHa:

 “He Who has made for you the earth like a carpet spread out; has enabled you to go about therein by roads (and channels)....”

                                                                [Al-Qur’an 20:53]

The surface of the earth i.e. earth’s crust is less than 30 miles in thickness and is very thin as compared to the radius of the earth which is about 3750 miles. The deeper layers of the earth are very hot, fluid and hostile to any form of life. The earth’s crust is a solidified shell on which we can live. The Qur’an rightly refers to it like a carpet spread out, so that we can travel along its roads and paths.

2. Carpet can also be spread on other than an absolute flat surface

Not a single verse of the Qur’an says that the earth is flat. The Qur’an only compares the earth’s crust with a carpet. Some people seem to think that carpet can only be put on an absolute flat surface. It is possible to spread a carpet on a large sphere such as the earth. It can easily be demonstrated by taking a huge model of the earth’s globe covering it with a carpet.

Carpet is generally put on a surface, which is not very comfortable to walk on. The Qur’an describes the earth crust as a carpet, without which human beings would not be able to survive because of the hot, fluid and hostile environment beneath it. The Qur’an is thus not only logical, it is mentioning a scientific fact that was discovered by geologists centuries later.

3. Earth has been spread out
            
Similarly, the Qur’an says in several verses that the earth has been spread out.
            
 “And We have spread out the (spacious) earth: how excellently We do spread out!”

                                                                                                 [Al-Qur’an 51:48]
            
Similarly the Qur’an also mentions in several other verses that the earth is an expanse:
            
 “Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse”

 “And the mountains as pegs?”

                                        [Al-Qur’an 78:6-7]
            
None of these verses of the Qur’an contain even the slightest implication that the earth is flat. It only indicates that the earth is spacious and the reason for this spaciousness of the earth is mentioned. The Glorious Qur’an says:
            
 “O My servants who believe! truly. spacious is My Earth: therefore serve ye Me –  (And Me alone)!”

 [Al-Qur’an 29:56]
            
Therefore none can give the excuse, that he could not do good and was forced to do evil because of the surroundings and circumstances.

4. Earth is geospherical in shape

The Qur’an mentions the actual shape of the earth in the following verse:
            
 “And we have made the earth egg shaped”.

                                          [Al-Qur’an 79:30]
            
The Arabic word Dahaha means egg shaped. It also means an expanse. Dahaha is derived fromDuhiya which specifically refers to the egg of an ostrich which is geospherical in shape, exactly like the shape of the earth.
            
Thus the Qur’an and modern established science are in perfect harmony.

Why do certain Surahs in the Qur’an begin with Alif Laam Meem, ‘Haa Meem, Yaa Seen and what is the significance of such terms or phrases?

MEANING OF ALIF LAAM MEEM

Question:

Why do certain Surahs in the Qur’an begin with Alif Laam Meem, ‘Haa Meem, Yaa Seen and what is the significance of such terms or phrases?

Answer:           

1.   Abbreviated Letters

Alif Laam Meem, Yaseen, Ha-meem, etc. are known as Al-Muqattaat  i.e. the abbreviated letters. There are 29 letters in the Arabic Alphabet (if hamza and alif are considered as two letters) and there are 29 surahs i.e. chapters in the Glorious Qur’an that have the abbreviated letters prefixed to them. These abbreviated letters some times occur alone, sometimes in a combination of two letters and sometimes in a combination of three, four or five letters.

a. Three surahs are pre-fixed with only one letter:

i.      Surah Sad  chapter 38 with Sad
ii.     Surah Qaf   chapter 50 with Qaf   
iii.    Surah Nun or Qalam chapter 68 with Nun

b. The combination of two letters occurs in 10 surahs:

Three of them occur only once each:

i.      Surah Ta Ha  chapter 20 has Ta Ha
ii.     Surah Al Naml starting with chapter 27 has Ta Seen
iii.    Surah Ya Seen  chapter 36 has Ya Seen

Ha Meem occurs in seven consecutive Surahs from Surah 40 to Surah 46:

i.      Surah Ghafir or Al-Mu'min chapter 40
ii.     Surah Fussilat or Ha Meem chapter 41
iii.    Surah Al Shura chapter 42
iv.    Surah Al Zukhruf chapter 43
v.     Surah Al Dukhan chapter 44
vi.    Surah Al Jathiyah chapter 45
vii    Surah Al Ahqaf chapter 46

c.  There are three combinations of three letters each occurring in
     13 surahs. 
         
Alif Laam Meem occurs in six surahs

i.      Surah Al Baqarah chapter 2
ii.     Surah Ali 'Imran chapter 3
iii.    Surah Al 'Ankabut chapter 29
iv.    Surah Al Rum chapter 30
v.     Surah Luqman chapter 31
vi.    Surah Al Sajdah chapter 32

Alif Laam Ra occurs in five surahs:

i.      Surah Yunus chapter 10
ii.     Surah Hud chapter 11
iii.    Surah Yusuf chapter 12
iv.    Surah Ibrahim chapter 14
v.     Surah Al Hijr chapter 15

Ta Seen Meem occurs in two Surahs:

i.      Surah Al-Shura chapter 26 
ii.     Surah Al-Qasas chapter 28

d. Combination of four letters occurs twice:

i.      Surah Aaraf chapter 7: Alif Laam Meem Sad 
ii.     Surah Al Rad chapter 13: Alif Laam Meem Ra

e. Combination of five letters occurs twice:

i.      Surah Maryam chapter 19 begins with Kaf Ha Ya Ayn Sad
ii.     Surah Al-Shura chapter 42 begins with Ha Meem  Ayn Seen Qaf

         Surah Al-Shura chapter 42 has a double combination of abbreviated letters          one set of two letters followed by one set of three letters.

2.    Meanings of these abbreviated letters

The meaning and purpose of these letters is uncertain. There have been a variety of explanations offered by Muslim scholars through the ages. A few among them are:

i.   These letters might be abbreviations for certain sentences and words for      instance, Alif Laam Meem means Ana-Alahu -a'Laam or Nun meaning Noor (light),      etc.

ii.  These letters are not abbreviations but symbols and names of Allah or something      else.

iii. These letters were used for rhyming.

iv. These letters have some numerical significance as the semitic letters also have          numerical values.

v.  These letters were used to attract the attention of the Prophet (and later his      audience).

Several volumes have been written on the significance of these abbreviations.

3.    Best explanation of abbreviated letters:

Of all the explanations given by various scholars, the one which is authentic and also supported by Tafsir of Ibne-Kathir, Zamakshari and Ibne-Taiymiyah is the following:

The human body is composed of various fundamental elements that are found in nature. Clay and dust are composed of the same fundamental elements. Yet it would be absurd to say that a human being is exactly the same as the dust.

We can all have access to the elements that are found in the human body, and add a few gallons of water, which is the constitution of the human body. We know the elements in the human body and yet we are at a loss when asked the secret of life.

Similarly the Qur'an addresses those people who reject its Divine authority. It tells them that this Qur'an, is in your own language, and over which the Arabs took pride. It is composed of the same letters that the Arabs used to express themselves most eloquently.

The Arabs were very proud of their language and Arabic was at its peak when the Qur'an was revealed. With the letters Alif Laam Meem, Yaa Seen, Ha-Meem, etc., (in Engllish we would say A, B, C, D) the Qur’an challenges mankind to produce a Surah at least somewhat similar to the Qur’an in beauty and elegance, if they doubt its authenticity.

Initially, the Qur'an challenges all the men and jinn to produce a recital like the Qur'an and adds that they would not be able to do it even if they backed each other. This challenge is mentioned in Surah Isra chapter 17 verse 88 and in Surah Tur chapter 52 verse 34.

Later the Qur'an repeats the challenge in Surah Hud chapter 11 verse 13 by saying produce ten surahs like it and later in Surah Yunus chapter 10 verse 38 produce one surah like it and finally the easiest challenge is given in Surah Al-Baqarah chapter 2 verses 23 and 24.

"And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah if your doubts are true.

But if ye cannot - and of a surety ye cannot - then fear the fire whose fuel is men and stones - which is prepared for those who reject faith."

                                                                                   [Al-Qur'an 2:23-24]

To compare the skill of two artisans, they must be given samples of the same raw material and their performance evaluated in performing the same task. If they are tailors they must be provided with the same fabrics. The raw materials of the Arabic language are these letters Alif Laam Meem, Ya Seen (in English it is A, B, C, D, etc.) The miraculous nature of the language of the Qur'an does not lie only in the fact that it is the Word of Allah, but also in the fact that although made up of the same letters in which the pagan Arabs took pride, it has not been rivalled.

The Arabs are noted for their rhetoric ability, eloquence and meaningful expression. Just as the constituents of the human body are known to us and can be obtained by us, the letters comprising the Qur'an, such as Alif Laam Meem are known to us, and used frequently to formulate words. Life cannot be created by us, even if we possess knowledge of the constituents of the human body. Similarly we cannot capture the same eloquence and beauty of expression that we find in the Qur'an, despite knowing the letters that constitute the Qu'ran. The Qur'an thus proves its Divine origin. 

4.    Miraculous quality of Qur’an mentioned immediately after these
broken letters
 
Therefore immediately after these broken letters are mentioned in the Qur’an, the following verses speak about the miracle of the Qur’an, and its authority

e.g. in Surah Baqarah Chapter 2 verse 1-2:

“Alif Laam Meem.
This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.”

[Al-Qur’an 2:1-2]

Muslims believe in the theory of abrogation, i.e. they believe that certain earlier verses of the Qur’an were abrogated by verses revealed later. Does this imply that God made a mistake and later on corrected it?

THE THEORY OF ABROGATION

Question:

Muslims believe in the theory of abrogation, i.e. they believe that certain earlier verses of the Qur’an were abrogated by verses revealed later. Does this imply that God made a mistake and later on corrected it?

Answer:

1. Two different interpretations

The Glorious Qur’an says in the following verse:

“None of our revelations do we abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but we substitute 
something better or similar: knowest thou not that Allah hath power over all things?”

                                                                                  [Al-Qur’an 2:106]
                
A reference to this is also made in chapter 16 verse 101 of Surah Nahl. The Arabic word mentioned is ‘Ayat’ which means ‘Signs’ and which can also mean ‘revelation’. This verse of the Qur’an can be interpreted in two different ways:

a. The revelations that are abrogated are those revelations that were revealed before the Qur’an, for example the Torah, the Zaboor and the Injeel.

Here Allah (SWT) says that He does not cause the previous revelations to be forgotten but He substitutes them with something better or similar, indicating that the Torah, the Zaboor and the Injeel were substituted by the Qur’an.

b. If we consider that the Arabic word ‘ayat’ in the above verse refers to the verses of the Qur’an, and not previous revelations, then it indicates that none of the verses of the Qur’an are abrogated by Allah but substituted with something better or similar. This means that certain verses of the Qur’an, that were revealed earlier were substituted by verses that were revealed later. I agree with both the interpretations.

Many Muslims and non-Muslims misunderstand the second interpretation to mean that some of the earlier verses of the Qur’an were abrogated and no longer hold true for us today, as they have been replaced by the later verses of the Qur’an or the abrogating verses. This group of people even wrongly believes that these verses contradict each other.

 Let us analyze a few such examples.

2. Produce a Recital like the Qur’an / 10 Surahs / 1 Surah:

Some pagan Arabs alleged that the Qur’an was forged by Prophet Muhummad (pbuh).
Allah (SWT) challenged these Arabs in the following verse of Surah Al-Isra:

 “Say: if the whole of Mankind and Jinns were together to produce the like of this
Qur’an they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support.”

            [Al-Qur’an 17:88]

Later the challenge was made easy in the following verse of Surah Al-Hud:

 “Or they may say, ‘He forged it.’ Say, ‘Bring ye then ten Surahs forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsover ye can, other than Allah, if ye speak the truth!’.”

                                                               [Al-Qur’an 11:13]

It was made easier in the following verse of Surah Yunus:

 “Or do they say, ‘He forged it’? Say: ‘Bring then a Surah like unto it, and call (to your aid) anyone you can, besides Allah, if it be that ye speak the truth!’ ”

                                                                 [Al-Qur’an 10:38]

Finally in Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (SWT) further diluted the challenge:

And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah if your (doubts) are true.
            
But if ye cannot–and of a surety ye cannot–then fear the Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones–which is prepared for those who reject faith”.

                                                                  [Al-Qur’an 2:23-24]

Thus Allah (swt) made the challenges progressively easier. The progressively revealed verses of the Qur’an first challenged the pagans to produce a book like the Qur’an, then challenged them to produce ten Surahs (chapters) like those in the Qur’an, then one Surah and finally it challenges them to produce one Surah somewhat similar (mim mislihi) to the Qur’anic Surahs. This does not mean that the later verses that were revealed i.e. of Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verses 23 and 24 contradict the earlier three verses. Contradiction implies mentioning two things that cannot be possible simultaneously, or cannot take place simultaneously.

The earlier verses of the Qur’an i.e. the abrogated verses are still the word of God and the information contained in it is true to this day. For instance the challenge to produce a recital like the Qur’an stands to this day. Similarly the challenge to produce ten Surahs and one Surah exactly like the Qur’an also holds true and the last challenge of producing one surah somewhat similar to the Qur’an also holds true. It does not contradict the earlier challenges, but this is the easiest of all the challenges posed by the Qur’an. If the last challenge cannot be fulfilled, the question of anyone fulfilling the other three more difficult challenges does not arise.

Suppose I say about a person that he is so dumb, that he would not be able to pass the 10th standard in school. Later I say that he would not be able to pass the 5th standard, and further say that he would not be able to pass even the 1st standard. Finally I say that he is so dull that he would not even be able to pass K.G. i.e. kindergarten. One has to pass kindergarten before one can be admitted to school. What I am stating is that the person is so dull as to be unable to pass even kindergarten. My four statements do not contradict each other, but my last statement i.e. the person would not be able to pass the kindergarten is sufficient to indicate the intelligence of that person. If a person cannot even pass kindergarten, the question of him passing the first standard or 5th or 10th, does not arise.

3. Gradual prohibition of intoxicants

Another example of such verses is that related to gradual prohibition of intoxicants. The first revelation of the Qur’an to deal with intoxicants was the following verse from Surah Baqarah:

 “They ask thee concerning wine and gambling say: ‘in them is great sin,
and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit’.”

                                                                        [Al-Qur’an 2:219]

The next verse to be revealed regarding intoxicants is the following verse from Surah Nisa:
            
 “O ye who believe approach not prayer with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say.”                                                                              
                                                                          [Al-Qur’an 4:43]

The last verse to be revealed regarding intoxicants was the following verse from Surah Al-Maidah:

 “O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (Dedication of) stones, And 
 (divination by) arrows, are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork; 
Eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.”

                                                                          [Al-Qur’an 5:90]

The Qur’an was revealed over a period of 23 years. Many reforms that were brought about in the society were gradual. This was to facilitate the adoption of new laws by the people. An abrupt change in society always leads to rebellion and anarchy.

The prohibition of intoxicants was revealed in three stages. The first revelation only mentioned that in the intoxicants there is great sin and some profit but the sin is greater than the profit. The next revelation prohibited praying in an intoxicated state, indicating that one should not consume intoxicants during the day, since a Muslim has to pray five times a day. This verse does state that when one is not praying at night one is allowed to consume intoxicants. It means one may have or one may not have. The Qur’an does not comment on it. If this verse had mentioned that one is allowed to have intoxicants while not praying then there would have been a contradiction. Allah(SWT) chose words appropriately. Finally the total prohibition of intoxicants at any time was revealed in verse 90 of Surah Maidah (Chapter 5).

This clearly indicates that the three verses do not contradict each other. Had they been contradicting, it would not have been possible to follow all the three verses simultaneously. Since a Muslim is expected to follow each and every verse of the Qur’an, only by following the last verse i.e. of Surah Maidah (5:90), he simultaneously agrees and follows the previous two verses.

Suppose I say that I do not live in Los Angeles. Later I say that I do not live in California. Finally I say, I do not live in the United States of America. This does not imply that these three statements contradict each other. Each statement gives more information than the previous statement. The third statement includes the information contained in the first two statements. Thus, only by saying that I do not live in the United States of America, it is obvious, that I also do not live in California nor New York. Similarly since consuming alcohol is totally prohibited, it is obvious that praying in an intoxicated state is also prohibited and the information that in intoxicants is "great sin and some profit for men; but the sin is greater than profit" also holds true.

4.  Qur'an does not contain any contradictions

The theory of abrogation does not imply that there is a contradiction in the Qur'an, since it is possible to follow all the verses of the Qur'an at the same time. 
If there is a contradiction in the Qur'an, then it cannot be the word of Allah (swt).

"Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy (contradictions)."

                                                                     [Al-Qur'an 4:82]